Signs

The series looking at the signs in John at 'connecT' has come to an end. The discussion around signs was helpful and the conversation stimulating, as per usual. A 'connecT' we try to use a 'round table approach' using conversation and mutual learning. The result is that no one stands out as an expert dominating the conversation, but those who may have trained insights share their experience with others, seeking to learn as well as to share. And so it was with 'signs'; I learnt much.

A sign points away from itself to something else. The one thing I did learn at theological college. So too the signs in John, pointing away from themselves to a greater reality. Miracles, understood in a certain way, can be an end in themselves. Signs point to Jesus and God's reign breaking into the world. Signs have an incompleteness to them. The wine will run out eventually, those who are healed may get sick again, those who are fed will get hungry, those who walk on water will touch the shore, the blind man's sight will diminish with age, Lazarus will die again and will have to wait with the rest of us until the resurrection at the end of time.

The church, too, is such a sign pointing away from itself to the reign of God. Lessons from John, as always, getting deeper and deeper, but never ending.

Chris

Sight - Part 2

Paul raised a tricky question. Why Jesus mentioned sin in the healing of the paralytic and didn't with the man born blind (See Sight # 1)? We had a really helpful discussion around this issue at 'connecT'. An answer, perhaps; some illnesses are a consequence of sin, others are not. Just a reminder that we can't universalise everything Jesus said and did: individual and communal contexts are part of the narrative, as well.

Chris

Life

A number of years ago I watched the film 'shall we dance'. It is about a character, played by Richard Gere, whose life had lost its spark and so, on a whim, he takes dancing lessons. J.Lo is the exotic dance instructor with whom you expect him to, eventually, as these films go, have an affair. The twist of the film, and a pleasant one too, is that he uses his new found dancing skills to romance his wife, Susan Sarandon, and re-kindle the flame in their relationship. It is what I might call a resurrection moment: out of a death, new life begins.

This week, at 'connecT', we are looking at the last sign in John, 'the raising of Lazarus' (11: 1-44). A moving story, Jesus weeps, his friend is dead, but he calls him back to life. Resurrection is something we expect at the end of time, but in the midst of life we can, if we have a our faith (sight) eyes open, catch these resurrection moments. Dead faith to a living 'fresh expression'. Tired relationships breathed with new life. Moving out of depression into hope. All small glimpses of what Jesus means by 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11: 25).

Chris

Sight

This week at 'connecT' we are looking at the 'sign', in John, of the 'man born blind' (John 9: 1 - 12). Whose fault is it, the disciples ask Jesus? a not uncommon thought, even in these contemporary and, supposedly, enlightened times. Why does my child have a disability? Did I do something wrong at pregnancy, a mother may ask? Why does my son not do well at school? What did I do to make my daughter the way she is? Sigmund Freud did not help by pointing to a child's upbringing as the root cause for most psychological disorders and phobias. Who is to blame,'this man or his parents' is a fairly common and widely accepted response.Neither, is Jesus' unexpected answer; 'but so the works of God might be made manifest' (9: 3).

What are the consequences for our world - my world- I wonder? We should always acknowledge the wrongs of the past, I would argue: the holocaust, the forced separation of Aboriginal children of mixed descent from their parents (the stolen generation), are but two examples. However, the past is the past; to be remembered, lest we repeat it, but forgiveness offered and new sight given.

The man born blind sees for the very first time, but those caught in the past, and who justify it, cannot see (9: 40). How do my blind spots keep me from seeing God working? How does the Church stop people from seeing? Where do we see Jesus' light shining? What do you think?

Chris

Water

Just last night I was watching 'myth busters' with my son, and the myth they were trying to bust was 'walking on water' -well, running actually. Apparently, there was 'you-tube' footage of a some people doing it. The 'myth-busters' tried, but concluded it can't be done. They also concluded that the 'you-tube water runners' must have had something just submerged under the water that they ran on. The footage certainly looked like that, because they all fell in to the water after running a certain distance. It is unteresting, though, that Jesus' 'sign' still gathers attention.

At 'connecT' we have been looking at the signs in John, including the one where Jesus walks - not runs - on water. (Jn: 6: 16 - 25). I personally have long given up - never really held these views in the first place, I must admit - thinking that Jesus was walking on a sandbank, had ancient water skis, special shoes, flippers, carried by fish, the apostles had a collective fear induced vision, ate magic mushrooms, whatever, whatever...They sound as unbelievable as walking on water to me. No, I am happy to take the sign at face value.

Also, I don't expect to walk on water any time soon, but I do know that during times of rough seas Jesus comes to me and I sense a calm. Sometimes Jesus comes to me in worship and prayer; other times, and quite often, through other people. Looking at water itself, especially the sea, reminds of Jesus' calming presence and the amazingness of God's creation. Signs all pointing to the reign of God in our midst. What signs work for you, I wonder?

Chris

Labels

One thing my own denomination is really good at is labelling people. We are very quick to label people liberal, if they seem a little hazy on the essentials, fundamentalists, if they seem too sure, catholics, if they like liturgy, evangelicals, if they mention the bible. All of this seems to me to be a desire to box people in and set up walls of exclusiveness. Also, admittedly, I don't like to be labelled, but do like to be a bit of a free spirit, which means I must be a charismatic! So to my disappointment I find labelling going on in the 'emerging' camp. 'Emergents', so the story goes, are followers of Brian McLaren and obviously closet liberals. 'Emergings', followers of Rob Bell and company. 'Fresh Expressions' are those who are in the main-line denominations but are planting new ministries to the un-churched (another label). All a bit of a shame, really.

Yet, on the other hand, some sense of shape is important to give us a sense of direction. It is the over association with a label that leads to a stunting of growth. It is good to know who you are, bad to be defined by others who want to keep you in a box.

At'connecT' we would probably label ourselves as 'emerging', but not in an exclusive sense. We are built on the foundations of the historic faith, but open to creativity and exploration; a community that seeks to serve and love. But, I guess, it doesn't matter what we label ourselves and where we fit in the ecclesiastical system. The bigger question; who does God see us to be?

Chris

A week of gifts - Anglican Indigenous Network

Just last week I went to the 'Anglican Indigenous Network' meeting in Sydney. AIN is made up of Indigenous Anglicans who are minorities in their own land. There were representatives from Canada, USA, Australia, Aotearoa and Hawaii. I, with 5 others, were representing the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC - I have been a member, on and off, for 17 years, wow!). I have Aboriginal heritage given to me by my mother - a rich gift! The conference itself was a gift, and the gift that people gave were themselves. Stories abounded of suffering, disempowerment, struggle, racism, self-determination, peace, joy, love and forgiveness. It was deep Christian community, and the prayer was so heart-felt and rich.

It seems to me that indigenous church has been doing 'Fresh Expressions' and 'Emerging Church' for a long time now. They are;

. Culturally relevant
. Biblically faithful, but hermeneutically creative.
. Creative with the use of art and symbol.
. Focussed on the un-churched (missiological).
. Passionate about issues of justice (poverty & ecology)

Why has this passed by the attention of non-indigenous churches? Like in the time of Jesus those on the fringes often catch something the mainstream misses.

Chris

On the road to Emmaus

Easter season is here and the go to text for me, and many others, is the 'road to Emmaus' (Luke 24: 13 - 35). It's all there; journeying, relationships, strangers, conversation, life's disappointments and surprises, death, life, meals, revelations, insights, presence and absence. I'm fairly convinced that Jesus journeys with us, but does not gate-crash our party, but slides up alongside our conversation to join in through teasing questions and gentle corrections. Don't our hearts burn with us as he speaks with us on the road? Jesus opens up within us the pondering and questions of our hearts and fills them with his presence, not to give us propositional certainty, but a relationship with him and others.

The Christian life is best described as a journey with Jesus. Do we ever come to an end to the conversation in this life? Does Emmaus road ever come to end? The two disciples, Cleopas and his (female?) partner make it to Emmaus only to return back to Jerusalem to be with others. The journey of resurrection faith needs to be shared with others. Only in shared experience and community can we celebrate the truth that 'he is risen'!

Happy Easter
Christ is risen!

Chris

Christmas - A shared gift.

This year we joined in with our local baptist church (Lighthouse Community Church) for carols. Some of our musos and our choir from the morning service joined in. We cancelled 'connecT' for the night and had church 'take away. It was good to sit back and enjoy the evening. There were carols and solos, skits and plays, sermon and testimonies, and good community. It was the 'Lighthouse's' gift to us and, hopefully, for some others who came to have a look.

The gift of ecumenism is that not all churches are alike. The service was different to both 'connecT' and our traditional morning services; but, why not? The gift of Jesus at Christmas reminds us of the gift of the other. God came into the world and was different to what most people expected. Jesus provoked and comforted, angered and healed, unsettled and accepted, lived and died and rose again. The gift of the Christmas Jesus is that paradox. God came to bring peace, and disturb our settled lives.

Chris

The Christmas Challenge

Ah, blog-humbug. For months I couldn't sign in and then gave up trying, but I'm back!

Over the last few weeks at connecT we have been reflecting on Christmas and taking our time to unpack the depth of its message. Last week we explored the shadow side of Christmas based on the post-Christmas text of Simeon, Joseph, Mary and Jesus in the Temple - Luke 2: 22 - 35. The text that pierced my heart was; 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against' (Vs 34). This verse was a blessing given by Simeon to Mary. Christmas blessings are often associated with material comfort and over indulgence, but a blessing like this - that doesn't sound very blessed - presents us with a challenge. The sweet babe is not what he first appears to be!

This verse reminds me of the challenge of Christmas. Most of us are not prepared to be challenged at Christmas; comfort is what we are looking for. But to be reminded that Jesus will demand something from us, and be divisive, just as we are called to be decisive, is the shadow side of Christmas. Jesus was, is and will be the cause of 'the rise and fall of many'. The baby grows up and lives to issue a challenge - 'come follow me'(Lk.5: 27). Is that too hard for most at Christmas, I wonder?

Chris

1 Thessalonians 4 - sex and respect.

Paul's first letter ever! Well, that is what many scholars have said and it has provided good discussion at 'connecT'. We have looked at leadership in a collaborative setting and Paul's ability to communicate in such a way that he connected with people. And this week, 1 Thess. 4 - wait for it - we looked at sexual purity. A somewhat old fashioned subject I admit, but one that is not irrelevant.

What was suggested though is that sexual purity has less to do with Puritanism than respect. Sex is a good thing when used well; A good servant, but a poor master. Respect for others, ourselves, God were some of the suggestions that came up. Yet, that was not the end of it.

The second half of 1 thess. 4 has to do with respect between Christians. Perhaps, a greater challenge. Many Christians, myself included, take a dim view of those with whom we differ. The challenge from Paul hits home; simple really, respect.

Back to the Bible.

At connecT, over the last few weeks, we have been thinking about the Bible. A couple of us reflected on the place of the Bible in our lives and the various ways we read it and reflect on its authority. 'Layers of meaning' seems to me to be an important way to consider the teaching of the Bible. This is not to say that the original authors, and pre-ceeding them the original orators, did not have a specific thought in mind, but to acknowledge that the Biblical text also has a life of its own. It is important to acknowledge what the original author had in mind, but we also need to allow for fresh illumination as we read the text. Also, the Biblical authors used individual stories differently to address their specific contexts. For example, John has the cleansing of the temple at the beginning of his gospel; the synoptics at the end. The same story used differently and for different effect.

The Bible is a great book that is new every morning allowing God's word to speak afresh in every context. At connecT we are looking at Paul's Thessalonian correspondence. Expect new insights!

Chris

connecT re-commits

connecT is a little over a year old now, so we decided to have a congregation meeting to look at our life together. Small discussion groups are the backbone of our sharing time together at connecT, so we did that to discuss the agenda items. Some of the things we recommitted to:

* Learning together (but with the occasional sermon)- 'Round Table Church'
* Eating together with shared responsibility for providing food.
* Shared leadership including younger people.
* Eucharistic worship in the round.
* Diversity in music.
* Strengthening our welcome to visitors.
* Shared financial responsibility.

Given it is the Easter season it was an appropriate time to look back so we could move forward led, we believe, by the presence of the risen Christ.

'Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands he blessed them.'(Luke 24:50)

Love & Eucharist

For the lead up to Lent we have been exploring love. Recently, we did some thinking over the theme of 'Love & Eucharist' and how the two are inseparable. Some of our 'connecT' members were/are nurtured in other traditions than Anglicanism and so the reflection on the place of the 'Lord's Supper' was varied. Some held that the gathering together was the essential part of the celebration, others held that the eating and drinking of the body and blood of Christ was more important. Others still, suggested that there was no 'real presence' but it was a memorial meal. Others (including me) thought that Jesus was, indeed, present in the bread and wine and also in the community that celebrates. Old debates, aren't they? But what we all agreed about is that love is present when we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist. God's love for us, our attempts at love for God and each other.
Perhaps then, the debates about 'real presence' are superfluous because there isn't a time when God is absent: God fills all things. The Eucharist sharpens our minds to that fact.

Chris

Love

Over the next couple of weeks at connecT we will be exploring the theme of love. We are gearing up for 'St. Valentine's Day', where we are exploring love in relationships. Last week we started with God's love for us; a good place to begin.

You don't have to be a psychologist to work out that children learn all about love from their parents. One of the first things a baby experiences is the loving voice and touch of their parents. In time that child, as an infant, will return that love with a kiss and a hug. In turn they will begin to kiss and hug others; siblings, grandparents and friends. The love once born in the parents begins to embrace a wider circle. Very much God's love, I think. Those of us who are disciples of Jesus, having experienced something of God's love, begin to share it with others, or at least that's how the theory goes.

But when you hear the talk of people like Pat Robertson and other 'hard-line' Christians it makes you wonder, doesn't it? How far do we really believe in a God of love? Is it just talk?

'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you'
(John : 15:12)

Australia Day Thoughts

I am back from leave, hence the little recent activity on this blog. 'connecT', however, has been continuing on in summer mode under the leadership of shelley and John. Last Sunday we gave some thought to this great country of ours - Australia. What does it mean to be Australian? Are we the lucky country and who are we lucky for? These questions were reflected on in the light of Matthew 25: 31 - 46; the parable of the sheep and the goats. My thoughts: I do feel lucky (blessed) to live in Australia. I have all I need; family, friends, freedom (religious and personal), responsible government (mostly), money, a good home, beautiful countryside and beach, and plenty more besides. What more could I ask for? I am very satisfied. But then I read about Haiti. Perhaps, the missing thing - responsibility!

'I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me'. (Matt: 25:35)

Prepare the way of the Lord - Christmas

At connecT we are spending two weeks with John the Baptist. We are pondering over Mark 1: 1 -8 and what this prophetic 'crazy dude' might have to say to us. Last Sunday we gave some thought to 'preparing the way of the Lord' this christmas and how we might do that as a community. Some thoughts that came up - prayer & christmas cards given out to our communities, singing carols in aged care facilities & hospitals, a lavish connecT christmas party with nativity and being a christian presence at the office christmas party, especially when we have a had few drinks and the gossip starts!

It was good to see the connecT group thinking of ways to be with our wider community this christmas. How do we prepare ourselves and others to experience Jesus this christmas? What do you think?

God with us - Immanuel.

‘ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:18)

In advent we not only prepare for Christ's return - look busy!- but we, obviously, get ready for Christmas. Spending time with the prophets helps us to do that: these characters who reflected on God's activity in their midst and called others to catch a glimpse of their theocentric vision. God with us (Immanuel - Isa 7:14) is Isaiah's concern and he wants others to share it. Prophets pointed to God and in this sense the church follows their lead. Advent is a time for catching a glimpse of Jesus who is with us and yet, is still to come. As the Christmas trees go up it is our time to point to Jesus, the one behind it all. But more than that, it is timely to remind ourselves and others that God's reign will be accompanied by justice and mercy.

But how do we as the church engage the culture around us yet remain prophetic? How do we celebrate with others around the trees but remind them that more is at stake?

Chris

He's back!

Another Advent theme we will be exploring at connecT is the second coming of Jesus. This is a tough one, isn't it? It's part of the faith and so I accept it. But how long are we supposed to wait or have I missed something?

'Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail' (Rev 1:7)

Chris

John the Baptist - crazy dude?

At connecT we are having a 2 month advent. We thought it would be good to stay a little longer with the advent themes. One character who will be stretching our thought is John the Baptist. Now what can I say, one crazy dude (cf. Matt 3: 4) I have always imagined he looked a bit like Charles Manson with out the 'dark side'. But honestly, can we handle prophets like John? How many prophets have we really met, do they sit in our churches and sing quaint hymns and take their turn on the morning tea roster? How do we make sense of John - a crazy dude with something to say?

'You brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?' (Matt 3: 7)